By RayJaun Stelly, The Seattle Medium
Seattle Public Schools (SPS) expects a budget shortfall in the current 2022-23 school year due to the state legislature changing the K-12 public education funding formula in 2018 to create more equity throughout districts. The state invested in reducing K-3 class sizes, salaries for teachers, and providing additional counselors. The school district may consider layoffs due to the projected budget deficit, which has grown to $131 million.
SPS Superintendent Dr. Brent Jones stated that the district has already notified employees about being considered for “RIF” and displacement.
Various reasons caused the current deficit, including the expiration of one-time state and federal resources from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund. Additionally, SPS has seen a decrease in enrollment since 2013-14, which is expected to continue. Dr. Jones says that consolidating some schools may be part of the district’s future but emphasizes that this is not the basis for school consolidation. Rather, it is where the district wants to be in the future, building backward from a collective definition of well-resourced schools.
The funding formula change impacted districts and put a limit on the amount of local levy funding each district can collect. Unfortunately, the state’s education funding formula continues to be outdated and behind in key areas, such as providing the full cost of many staff, including school leaders, nurses, social workers, and central office. Special Education is underfunded statewide, and the state allocation for this, including transportation, falls short of what students need and what families are expecting.
With the costs of these supports going up and a levy collection of $3,290 per student, the budget will only increase annually by a cost of living. In recent years, the district has used budget reserves to make up the gap, but this reserve is close to expiring. With no new revenue generated from the state or an increase to the levy collection authority, expenses have to be reduced, considering that 85% of district expenses are staff-related.
Hoping to ignite a sense of change, the Seattle Public Schools board is required to pass a balanced budget for the 2023-24 school year, which is scheduled to be voted on and adopted by July 6. The community budget information session is scheduled to be held on March 20.
“Seattle Public Schools (SPS) is facing a significant projected budget deficit for the next school year,” said SPS in a statement. “This presents some serious challenges but also an opportunity for improvement. Our mission to meet academic outcomes and to sustain inclusive and welcoming school communities for our students has only grown in importance and urgency. Ensuring our district is accountable and responsible stewards of public funds is central to that work.”
